Fireman s extension-ladder



(no Model.) '4 Sheets'Sheet 1.

' B. F. BOWEBJ.

FIRBMANS EXTENSION LADDER;

No. 2681312. Patented Dec. 5. 1882.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2,

.B. I; BOWER.

FIREMANS EXTENSION LADDER.

N, PETERS. mwmmmpw. wmin m ma (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.7

B. F. BOWER.

FIRBMANS EXTENSION LADDER. No. 268,612. Patented Dec. 5, 1882.

/W aw u rams mummn Wm mu o UNITEDSTAT S PATENT QFFICE.

BENJAMIN r. BOWER, on RIPLEY, OHIO.

- FIREMANS EXTENSION-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,612, dated December 5, 1882,

I Application filed May 18,1882. (N0 model.)

.To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. BOWER,

' a citizen of the United States, residing at Ripley, in the county of Brown and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Firemens Extension-Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to extensible fire-ladders which are adapted for transportation and elevation upon a truck in reaching the tops and windows of high buildings in cases of fire, and atiordin g escape therefrom. A derrick serves to elevate the ladder,and both are adapted for attachmcnt to and detachment from each other, and a turn-table mounted upon the truck to allow the ladder to be used by hand independently of the truck and of the elevating-derrick in places where it would be impossible to use it upon the truck or with the derrick. The turntable is provided with means by which the lad der and the derrick are quickly placed in position for being elevated. derand the derrick detachably connected with the turn-table I obtain the advantage of placing them more compactly upon the truck when not in use, which is a matter of much importance in the employment oflongextensihle ladders. The provision of socket-abutments upon 1 the turn-table to receive and hold the rounded ends of the main section of the ladder and the provision of holes through the turn-table for the reception of picket-points of the independent derrick enable both the ladder and the derrick to be quickly placed in position and the ladder elevated for use by two men. The extensible sections of the ladder are elevated simultaneously by a Windlass or by hand, or the upper section only by hand after the main section has been elevated. In the construction of the ladder, its cost and the convenience and rapidity of its management are matters of important ad vantage to firemen and the fire-departmencwhich are attained to greater extent by myladder than any other turn-table extensibleladder in use, so far as I know and can find. Such a ladder is represented in the accompanying drawings, which, in connection with the following specification, will illustrate and fully set forth my improvements, preparatory to the designation thereof by specific claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 repre- By having the lad-' sents in perspective the ladder in position as 7 closed one within the other, the upper portion being seen as a separate part out at the dotted lines 2 2; Fig. 4, a longitudinal section taken through the side bars of the ladder in p the same position,the upperportion beingseen as a separate part out at the dotted line 3 3; Fig. 5,a vertical section, enlarged, of the lower portion of the ladder and of the derrick,showing the manner of attaching and holding them in proper relation to each other upon the turntable; Fig. 6, a horizontal section of the ladder, taken on the line as w of Fig. 4, showing the relation to each other of the side bars of the several sections of the ladder and the manner of securing one section within the other; and Fig. 7, a top view, showing a part of the truck-platform and the ladder and the derrick laid thereon over and upon the turn-table for transportation.

Three sections arranged within the side bars of each other compose the ladder, two of which are extensible, the main section A being the widest, and the ex tensible sections of less width, so that the upper section, (3, will fit within the middle section, B, which fits within and is extensible upon the main section. For aladder capable of being extended to a height of one hundred feet, the main section will be about thirty-fivefeetlong and the upper section about thirty feetin length. The rungs a of the main section are flat and secured to the edges of the side bars on both sides of the ladder at three or more points, a, so as to form guides for the middle section and hold it securely in place. The range I) of the middle section are of similar form and arrangement, so as to serve as guides for the upper section and hold it socurely in place, being fitted flush with the edges of the side bars to slide within the tlat rungs of the main section, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. The side bars of the main section are provided with a middle longitudinal parallel groove, 0,

- on their inner sides,Figs. and 6, within which are placed the Windlass-ropes d, by which the extensible ladder-sections are elevated simultaneously. These ropes d d are attached at d d to the lower ends, Figs. 4 and 6, of the middle ladder section, B, and, passing in the grooves c to its top, pass out from said grooves through openings in the side bars over sheaves e e, fitted in hearings on their outer sides, and extend down to a Windlass, D D, fixed upon the ends of a shaft, D, outside of the ladderbars, each Windlass having a crank-handle, D

by which they are operated simultaneously to wind the cords d d to elevate the said middle ladder-section. The upper section, C, is elevated by separate ropes f f, which, being attached atff to its lower ends, Figs. 4 and 6, pass in grooves g g on the inner sides of the middle ladder-section, B, out through openings in the side bars thereof, over sheaves h h, fitted in bearings at or near their upper ends on their outer sides, and extend down and are fastened to the side bars of the main laddersection A. at or near the Windlass. These cords ff thus fastened to the upper and to the lower IaGdBP-SH'UOUS, and passing over sheaves of the middle section, as stated, will operate to elevate the upper ladder-section at the same time and by the elevation of the middle laddersectiou, because, the said cords f f being fastened to the main or non-sliding ladder-section,

the extension of the middle section must, by

its sheaves h h, pull equallyupon the said cords ff and extend the upper ladder-section with the same speed and to the same extent as the middle section. This gives a very simple arrangement of separate cords for a three-section ladder and the advantage of elevating by hand the upper ladder-section independent of and within the middle section by pulling down the outside lower ends of the cords ff and fastening them to the main section. It also gives the advantage of allowing the middle ladder-section to be elevated independent of the upper ladder-section by unt'astening the outside lower ends of said cordsff, so that theythang free of any lifting function upon the upper ladder-section. In this case the upper ladder-section would rest upon the projections B B of the middle ladder-section, and be simply carried up with it. This capacity for using theupper or the middle ladder-sections independently-of each other is an important matter in a three-section ladder, and is due to the novel arrangement and connection of the cords shown and described.

The Windlass-shaft D is mounted in bearings in the lower ends or foot of the main ladder-section A, and it is provided with ratchetwheels D and spring-arms D taking into and holding the ratchet-wheels and the windlasses when the extensible ladder-sections are elevated. The lower ends of the side bars of the main ladder-section A are rounded, and may be'shod or bound with metal plates.

Above the Windlass-shaft l), and between the lower cross bars or rungs, a a, is mounted a windlass, E, for a cord, F, which, passing between the ladder-rungs over a sheave, G, on a rod, G, mounted in bearings at or near the top of the upper 1adder-section,carries a basket, H, used as an escape for persons from the upper stories and for lowering articles to the ground. This windlass is operated by gearing I J and a crank, suitable means being provided for controlling and effecting the safe lowering of the,

basket to the ground. 1

The ladder thus constructed is complete in itself, and may be elevated and arranged upon the turn-table of a truck as an attachable structare, or by hand independent of the truck, in an alley or other place where a truck could not be driven.

The turn-table K is about seven feet in diameter, and is mounted by a center-bolt, L, upon the platform M of the truck, to allow the ladder to be turned upon the truck, as may be required, to change the ladder to operate in several different windows in the same story without changing the position of the truck. Socket-abutments N N are secured uponthe turn-table, into which the rounded ends of the main ladder-section are inserted and firmly held to allow it to be raised in position for use. These socket-abutments embrace the ends of the ladder and hold it against lateral displacement, while also forming stops against which the ladder is raised from a horizontal position.

To prevent accidental displacement of the ladder when raised from the socket-abutments, I provide books i, pivoted to the abutments, so as to be hooked over pinsjon one or both sides ofthe ends of theladder, so that when so hooked they cannot slip out of the sockets of the abutments. These sockct-abutments are arranged at one end side of the center-bolt, 1 1, while at the other side of the center of the turn-table it is provided with holes k, into which a derrick, P, is detachably secured by metal-shod picket-points Q Q, having shoulders resting upon the turn-tableto prevent the binding ofthe picket-points in the holes. This derrick is about twenty feet long, terminating in a point at the top, from which a stay or guy, preferably of wire rope, R, extends, and is fastened to a hook,

l, in the platform, by which to support the derrick in vertical position against the force required to raise and sustain the ladder.

The derrick is suitably braced, and has a windlass, S, suitably mounted in its lower part, upon which is wound one end of the rope T, which passes over a sheave, U, secured in the derrick near its top, and is then branched and fastened to each side bar of the main ladder-section, A, the branched part having a stretcherbar, T, to give a free way up and down the ladder, as shown in Fig. 1. The derrick-windlass has a'double crank, S, and a holding ratchet, S and springpawl S and, when it is mounted in position upon the turn-table and supported by the guy-rope, forms an efl'ective hoisting device which can be detached from the ladder and from the turn-table, and in this respect isimportant in afiording facility for using the ladder independent of the truck and of its turn-table. The turn-table may be mounted upon a truck-frame instead of upon a platform.

The side bars of the main ladder-section are provided with sockets V to receive supportingstruts W, to sustain the ladder from underneath and give itfirmness under the weight of the fireman.

Side guy-lines, X X, are attached to the top of the derrick and to the platform or trucki'rame to give lateral support to the derrick, as shown in Fig. 1. Slide-bars Z on one or both sides of the platform or truck may be used for said guy-lines, said slide-bars being set in or out and fastened to a pin, 7, to suit the position of the ladder with respect 'to the truck-frame or platform.

Provision may be made for fastening the turn-table to the platform when the ladder is properly placed. When not in use the ladder is placed upon the truck over and upon the turn-table, and the derrick is placed upon the ladder, and this relation of compactness is due to the facility for attaching and detaching the lad derand its derrick to the turntable. W hen using the ladder independently of the turn table its guy-line is detached from the ladder.

The platform or truck may be provided with rollers for the ladder.

To use the ladder, it is moved horizontally in position, with its rounded ends placed into the socket-abutments of the turn-table, and the derrick is set in the holesk and supported by guy-ropes, as stated. The ladder is then raised by the derrick-Windlass until in position to be extended, which is then quickly effected until the desired height is attained,and safely held by the Windlass ratchet-arms. The raising of the main ladder is effected parallel with the building-line, after which it is turned in the position to elevate the extensible ladders against the buildings. carries up the basket at the same time, and may also be used to carry up the hose.

The upper ends of the upper ladder-section are provided with rollers m for running upon the wall. The side bars of the main section are provided with projections on their inner sides, faced with rubber n to receive and cushion the descent of the middle section.

Referring to the socketabutments, it is important to notice that they are formed with closed sides, and that the back is curved over at the top, forming a sort of a hood, the bottom of the open end of which is on a level with the top of the turn-table, so that the ladder lying upon the platform can he slid thereon over the turn-table, so as to place the ends of the side bars of the main ladder-section within said sockets, so that in elevating the ladder its ends will abut against the closed backs and be held down and in place sidewise without danger of slipping out of place.

The elevation of the ladder:

Firemens ladders have been mounted upon turn-tables in various ways and detachably supported thereon independently of the ladder-truck by bearing-standards adapted to reas a means for operating a basket, and not as a derrick for elevating the ladder from the truck. Such ladders have also been. constructed with extensible sections adapted to be elevated simultaneously after the main section has been elevated; but aladderdetachably supported upon the turn-table,in combination with a derrick for elevating it, also detachably supported upon the turn-table and connected and braced to the truck, or some part thereof, constitutes an improvement in my ladder.

I claim-- 1. The combination, substantially herein described, ot' a turn-table provided with the socket-abutments N N and sockets lo 70, with a firemans extensible ladder, the lower ends of the lower section, A, whereof are adapted for detachable support and connection within said socket-abutments, and a derrick, 1?, adapted for detachable'support and connection within the said turn-table sockets k k, for the purpose specified.

'2. The turn-table of a firemans extensible ladder, provided with the socket-abutments N N, each having a curved back and closed at their sides, in combination with the main ladder-section A, the lower ends of the side bars of Which are rounded and adapted to fit Within said sockets between their closed sides, substantially as described.

3. The turn-table of a firemans extensible ladder, provided with the socket-abutments N N, each having a curved back and closed at their sides, in combination with the main ladder-section A, the lower ends of the side bars of which are rounded and provided with pins j, and the hooks t", pivoted to said socket-abutments, substantially as described, for the purpose specitied. 1

4. In a firemans extension-ladder, the combination of a turn-table provided with socket abutments N N and sockets k 70, and a ladder adapted to be supported within said socketabutments, substantially as described, with a derrick, P, for raising the ladder, having picket-points supported upon said turn-table independent of said ladder, means whereby said derrick is connected with the truck, the windlass, and the ladder-elevating rope T, substantially as described. V

5. In combination, in a firemans ladder, the turn-table having the socket-abutments, the ladder having extensible sections and an elerating Windlass therefor, the derrick having IIO picket-points, its supporting guy rope or ropes, and hoisting-rope connecting said derrick with the ladder, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

6. The ladder-sections A B 0, arranged one within the other. the middle section between the flat guides a a, and the upper section, G, between the flat guides b b, the sections A and B having the grooves 0 g, as described, in combination with the sheaves h h in the section B, the ropes ff, attached to the lower ends of the upper section, passing over said sheaves and attached to the side bars of the main section -A, the sheaves e e in the main section, the

for the purpose specified.

8. Theturn-table of a firemansextensibleladder, provided with socket-abutments, in combination with the main ladder-section having rounded ends, and means for securing said ladder ends within said socket-abutments, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

p 9. In combination, the truck-platform M, the turn-table K, the extensible ladder, and the derrick and its stayR, the said ladder having a double extension-Windlass, D D, connected by suitable ropes with the ladder-sections, and the said derrick having the windlass and rope T for elevating said ladder, the latter and its hoisting-derrick being carried by and detachably supported upon the turn-table, and the derrick connected with said platform, substantially as described.

10. The combination of the truck-platform with the ladder and the derrick, and with means, substan tially as described,whereby they are detachably connected with the turn-table, and means, substantially as described, whereby the derrick is the truck.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto set my handin the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

B. F. BOWER.

Witnesses:

A. E.-H. JoHNsoN, J. W. HAMILTON JOHNSON.

detachably connected with 

